Chapter 17
Rouge landed on the ground with a heavy thud as the entire group was silent. Blood continued to pour out of the bat's stomach as she lay completely motionless. Amy, Amber, Sonic, and Knuckles all immediately ran over to her to check while the dark hedgehog known by the name of Shadow just stood there with his red eyes wide in disbelief and his right hand outstretched.
Amy took a knee in front of her fallen friend and rolled Rouge over on her back to look at her face. The bat's eyes were closed and dry blood mixed with sweat and tears covered her face. The normal rising and falling of the stomach had ceased and it was easy to reach the inevitable conclusion.
Everyone else waited in anticipation as a few tears trickled down Amber's cheek. Finally, Amy turned to the rest of the group and whispered almost silently. "She's dead…"
Even though a good few yards away, Shadow's sensitive ears picked up the pink hedgehog's words. He slowly lowered his right hand down to his side as he clenched both of his fists. A dull white energy started to surround the black hedgehog. Shadow's eyes widened in anger and sorrow.
Amy and the others, who were by now weeping for their fallen friend, felt a strange gust of wind. They all looked back to see Shadow standing there, his fists were clenched and a white energy surrounded him.
Eclipse smirked while observing Shadow. "HMM, I WONDER WHAT HE'S GONNA DO NOW? NOW THAT I PUT THAT BAT OUT OF COMISSION!"
The dull white energy surrounding Shadow burst to a much brighter tone as the unnatural wind around him also picked up. The dark hedgehog had already closed his eyes and his face was contorted.
Amber, though frightened at this sudden phenomenon, stepped forth. "Shadow?" She asked quietly.
Suddenly, Shadow's eyes shot wide open to reveal his pupils completely gone. Amy put her hand over her mouth and gasped. "What's…happening to him?"
Shadow's body tensed up even more as the energy surrounding him got brighter and brighter. His eyes were still pupil-less and he was now facing the ground. His lips were curved up to reveal his bared white teeth. The dark hedgehog's head seemed to be shaking slightly.
Amber took another step towards her brother. "Shadow?" Still, no response. "Shadow please!" Once again, Shadow was silent. "ANSWER ME!" Amber yelled.
Mimicking a machine, Shadow's head shot up as his completely white eyes seemed focused on her. Amber took a step back but stopped retreating when she heard Shadow's voice.
"Rouge…"
Amber looked back at the dead bat behind her. All of a sudden, there was a bright burst of light as Amber looked back towards her brother. Even in his original state, he was hovering slightly as he brought his arms to his sides, fists still clenched. He looked to be in some what of a power up position.
"Shadow?" Sonic asked.
"ROOOOOUUUUUUGE!" Then, another flash of light blinded the group. Everyone's hands shot up out of instinct. Through their split fingers now covering their eyes however, they witnessed everything.
In the blinding light, Shadow's black quills started to waver and stand on end. The black hedgehog closed his eyes again to hide their pupil-less state. Finally, something inside of Shadow sparked as he felt his true power, his true form, being released.
Then, in less than a second, Shadow threw his entire body back. "HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"
Shadow's fur erupted to a pure, beautiful white as the light subsided. His crimson streaks also disappeared with his black fur, leaving the hedgehog completely white. The blinding explosion of light subsided, as everyone, minus Eclipse, lowered their hands.
Shadow floated barely above the ground with what looked like a huge white flame surrounding him. Many white sparks of pure energy danced around his body. Slowly, the hedgehog opened his eyes to reveal the pupils that inhabited them were back, only they were now a shinning golden.
Everyone's mouth hung wide open. Swallowing a lump in his throat, Sonic spoke first. "Is that you Shadow?"
The white hedgehog turned to face him, but did not respond. Slowly, the now snow white hedgehog landed on the ground with a soft thud and proceeded over to the group. Everyone was on their feet by now and standing in front of Rouge's lifeless body.
The hedgehog stopped right before the group. He slowly raised his head and gave them all a cold stare. Sensing the hedgehog's seriousness, the entire group moved to the side as Shadow proceeded to walk again.
Shadow slowly approached Rouge and took a knee in front of her. As soon as his knee touched the ground, more energy sparks danced across his body. Shadow slowly lifted his hand and placed it on the bat's forehead.
Shadow concentrated his energy for a second as a bright white light shone from the palm of his hand and onto Rouge. Shadow's entire body began to flare up with energy as more and more of the mystical light was transferred to the bat.
The enormous form of Eclipse, along with the others looked on in great curiosity. "WHAT IS HE DOING?"
Rouge's entire body was now glowing, as was Shadow's. Slowly, the wound in the bat's stomach and the dried blood around her mouth all disappeared. Shadow kept transferring his energy to her and finally stopped as Rouge's body stopped glowing, along with his.
Shadow stood back up and looked down upon Rouge. Slowly, the bat's body began to twitch slightly, but enough for everyone to see. Amy let out a gasp. "No way…"
Eclipse unfolded his arms and stared in shock. "IT CAN'T BE!"
But sure enough, the bat's eyes slowly began to open. Her emerald green eyes looked glazed over at first but soon regained their natural sparkle as Rouge focused on the figure in front of her. "Shadow?" She slightly murmured, barely opening her dry lips.
And for the first time since his transformation, Shadow smiled. "Yes Rouge, it's me."
Rouge smiled slightly and tried moving her body. However, soon after the attempt at movement, a searing pain shot through her body as she let out a gasp. Shadow took a knee in front of her again. "Be still," He coaxed. "You're still hurt. Dying, after all, is very painful."
Even in her weak state, Rouge managed to scream. "DYING?"
Shadow nodded slightly. "Don't worry…It wasn't your time."
Rouge tilted her head slightly. "Then…how…did I…get back?"
The snow white hedgehog turned away slightly. "I'll tell you later, but right now I have some matters to attend to."
Rouge nodded weakly as Shadow stood back up. But before he could leave, Rouge spoke again, for the first time noticing Shadow's new appearance. "Shadow, what happened to you?"
Shadow turned to her and smiled. "You happened."
Rouge looked confused. "What?"
"It's because of you that I look like this, Omega was right." And with that said, Shadow walked back towards the rest of the group.
He turned to face Amy and Amber. "You two take care of her. I'll finish this once and for all."
Amy and Amber nodded but before Shadow could leave, Sonic put a hand on his shoulder. Shadow looked over his back to see Sonic wearing a toothy smirk on his face. "Kick his ass."
Shadow smirked as Sonic removed his hand. "You bet."
Shadow shot off and was right before Eclipse in less than a second. Eclipse spoke first. "WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO TO THE BAT?"
Shadow did not respond, but only glared at him.
Eclipse continued. "WELL, I SUPPOSE WE HAVE TO FIND OUT LAT"- Eclipse cut himself off as he realized exactly what Shadow had done.
The monster threw his head back and laughed hysterically. "AND HERE I THOUGHT YOU COULDN'T GET ANY DUMBER! YOU TRULY ARE A FOOL SHADOW! BUT I DO LIKE THAT YOUR FUR IS SO WHITE NOW!"
Once again, the hedgehog didn't respond, but only glared. Eclipse spoke again, setting aside his last comment. "SEE, KLLING YOU WHEN YOUR FUR IS SO WHITE WILL MAKE IT MORE ENJOYABLE TO WATCH WHEN ALL YOUR BLOOD OOZES FROM YOUR BODY."
Finally, Shadow spoke. "I wouldn't be so confident if I were you Eclipse. Because now, the tables have turned. Now, I am in control.
"IS THAT SO?" Eclipse asked sarcastically.
Shadow nodded slightly. "Yes, so now prepare for the final battle, prepare for the ultimate power, prepare for the Mega form!"
Author's Note- I have gotten numerous requests from different authors asking if they could use the attacks I created. For all of you out there that would like to use any of the attacks, characters, or weapons(see profile) that I have created, go right ahead. I would be honored if you used my creations in your story. Please be sure though, that you give me full credit for the things I created. I know that I sort of cornered the Fiction Attacks market so I feel obliged to allow you to use my attacks. Thank you all to my readers. Next chapter will be up soon.
